Ground Vermin Fox Tracks. 365 



covert, marking the site of some former hedgerow or 

 boundary. These are very favourite places for, and influence 

 the direction of, foxes' tracks. They are generally pretty 

 well burrowed out by rabbits at intervals along their sides, 

 and consequently, when the conies are plentiful, the more 

 inducement is offered to the varmint to traverse them, 

 either when in search of food and amusement, or when 

 bent upon some marauding expedition towards the opposite 

 end of the covert. 



In order to verify one's surmises as to the existence of 

 a fox's run along any of the likely situations named, one 

 must exert careful observation to discover such signs as 

 may be apparent. On search being made, in some places 

 droppings of foxes will appear to be uncommonly plentiful 

 all along certain portions of the track more open than the 

 rest. On further search in such direction as may seem 

 necessary, evidence of the continual passing and repassing 

 of the varmints will be forthcoming in the shape of indistinct 

 and in some instances scarcely discoverable tracks. There 

 always exist along these runs many spots where the 

 varmints, in order to get by some bush, or under some low 

 branches of a tree, are compelled, if they would keep in 

 the track, to follow the same direction time after time. 

 One should be able to discover such as these, and by a 

 little search ascertain the correctness of one's supposition 

 as to there being a fox's run or not. 



Occasionally the varmint will have a run leading up to 

 a wall or hedgerow, or even over it, which it is in the 

 habit of using. This will mostly be found at the least 

 likely place, where probably both the hedgerow is high and 



